Harnessing Nanocapsule Materials

美国国家科学基金会化学部的分析和表面化学计划将支持密苏里大学哥伦比亚分校谢丽尔·塔克教授的研究项目。这项研究的目的是调查最近开发的超分子胶囊的性质，以便更好地了解这些独特的人造纳米容器，通过修饰发现它们的多功能性，并推动它们的创造性使用极限。塔克教授和她的学生将研究哪些物种最成功地被困在超分子胶囊中并进行组织。他们还将创建手性纳米胶囊，以促进选择性的主客体相互作用，并设计具有通过扩展空间相互通信的能力的新纳米胶囊。对纳米微环境中胶囊自组装、主客体性质和反应化学原理的进一步了解将导致现有材料的改进，创造新的纳米胶囊，并提供对生命系统的洞察。这项研究将影响到广泛的实际应用，包括药物输送系统、微反应器、分子识别组件、催化剂和分离树脂。为了进一步推进研究和教育基础设施以及合作伙伴关系，该研究计划包括来自传统上代表性较低的群体的受训人员，他们参与了材料和分析科学的前沿和界面的跨学科研究计划，并通过国家认可的“化学魔力”推广计划激发孩子们对科学的兴趣。

The Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program at NSF Division of Chemistry will support the research project of Prof. Sheryl Tucker of the University of Missouri-Columbia. The objective of the study is to investigate the properties of recently developed supramolecular capsules in order to gain better understanding of these unique, manmade nanocontainers, discover the extent of their versatility through modifications, and push the creative limits of their use. Prof. Tucker and her students will examine which species are most successfully ensnared and organized within supramolecular capsules. They will also create chiral nanopockets to facilitate selective host-guest interactions and design new nanocapsules with the ability to communicate with each other through extended space. An increased understanding of the principles governing the capsule self-assembly, host-guest properties and reaction chemistry in a nanoscale microenvironment will lead to an improvement of existing materials, the creation of new nanocapsules and provide insight into living systems. The study will impact a wide range of practical applications including drug delivery systems, microreactors, molecular recognition components, catalysts and separation resins. To further advance research and education infrastructures and partnerships, this research program includes trainees from traditionally underrepresented groups, who are involved in an interdisciplinary research program at the forefront and interface of materials and analytical sciences, and ignites children's interest in science through the nationally recognized "Magic of Chemistry" outreach program.